It seemed as if he was waiting for the reply, Odette was slightly startled.

“Me, as a request?”

What kind of condition is this?

Above all, a bad premonition had briefly passed through Odette’s mind when she heard Valter’s words.

“Could it be……”

Odette questioned with disbelief.

“What do you mean by requesting me?”

“It is as you understand.”

“If I had understood, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“I did not know that Your Highness needed a footnote for every word.”

Valter subtly raised one eyebrow, and pointed with his forefinger.

Then, he slowly scanned Odette from her forehead to the tip of her shoes and said,

“From the top of your head to your toes, Princess. I request all of it as mine.”

So that no one can dare to overlook or touch her.

At his blatant tone, a chill slowly crept up Odette’s spine.

It was at that moment that Valter’s words gave her certainty.

‘Duke Ertman…… this person……!’

He’s toying with me now!

That certainty.

In the past month, Valter had consistently been meeting with 3rd Princess Lizeina.

‘It doesn’t seem like they’re dating according to his words.’

However, it was undeniable that they seemed to have some sort of relationship.

After all, if Valter was not dating her, why else would he consistently meet her?

‘It must be that Duke Ertman has some kind of relationship with Queen Katarina.’

Particularly, it was suspicious that Valter knew about Odette’s planned arranged marriage.

Odette had mentioned it just once, cautiously confiding in her close ladyinwaiting Ellie in her own palace.

‘Someone must have heard and reported it to Queen Katarina.’

And Queen Katarina, who considered Odette an eyesore, must have been eager to get rid of her.

She must have plotted this to obstruct Odette’s plan to marry Louis.

‘If I accept this proposal, she’ll expose her true colors and disgrace me.’

Furthermore, since Valter also conveniently ruined her meeting with Louis, Odette would be forced into a marriage with General Kyeongbaek according to the Queen’s plans.

What else could be the reason for stating he wants her, putting forward such an outrageous condition?

Moreover, this method was one Lizeina had previously used on another man.

[Dash]4th Princess is almost won over. Just do a little better, coax her gently, and she’ll cling to you soon. Just watch.

[Dash]Well done. Are you sure?

[Dash]Isn’t it obvious? With such an insignificant woman who doesn’t know men, a few exaggerated words will easily sway her.

He was the man who had suddenly approached the unnoticed Odette and aggressively courted her.

[Dash]Do you need a reason for love? I want you.

Such tempting words, enough to make her want to be fooled.

Though she was suspicious inside, she was also swayed by his words.

After that, Odette had closed her heart’s door to everyone who approached her.

Valter was no exception.

‘I didn’t fall for the same trick once; I won’t fall for it twice.’

Odette picked up the hem of her dress and calmly, gracefully bowed to Valter.

Her hair flowed along the elegant curve of her body.

Then, slowly straightening, Odette smiled and said,

“I’ll forget the rudeness you showed me today, so please never appear before me again.”

Lastly, she added,

“Your attitude is really the worst.”

It was a polite yet firm farewell.

[This is a time separator.]

Deep into the night, the palace ballroom terrace.

“Your Highness, are you here?”

At the words from behind him, the man leaning against the railing, Valter, turned around.

“……Russell Huntley.”

“Yes, I’m closing up. Even so, it’s a victory celebration, and it feels rather awkward without the protagonist…”

The redhaired knight, Russell, approached, scratching the back of his head.

His halfopen eyes appeared more than disheveled, looking as if he had been drunk on sleep all day. Despite his appearance, Russell was the wellknown righthand man of Duke Ertman.

Moreover, he was an unfortunate figure who had to deal with the crowd pouring in, guarding the banquet hall in place of Walter, who had left his post today.

So, he had come to find Walter, grinding his teeth, vowing to get double the reward for this matter…

‘…The atmosphere is a bit strange?’

Russell’s strength was his quick wit, despite his shabby appearance.

And from what he saw, Walter was in a considerably twisted state of mind.

‘Why on Earth?!’

In this situation, he couldn’t even complain about his efforts; he could end up being sent around the training ground.

Russell glanced around, clearing his throat as he changed his course.

“Ahem, um, ahem. So, did the conversation go well? You said you had something to deal with, did you not?”

“Ah, that thing.”

Walter slowly opened and closed his empty hand.

“I was rejected.”

“As expected, you’re a keen negotiator… What? Rejected? Didn’t you say it would go well?”

At this, Russell’s eyes, which had been rarely widened, became round.